Effect of Mycobacterial Phospholipids on Interaction ofMycobacterium tuberculosiswith Macrophages

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This study demonstrates that pretreatment of macrophages with phosphatidylinositol, of either soya bean or mycobacterial origin, results in a down-regulation of the binding and uptake ofMycobacterium tuberculosisby the phagocytes. We also describe the novel observation that cardiolipin induces an increase in the binding and uptake ofM. tuberculosisby macrophages. Neither phospholipid interacts with macrophages via the 2F8 epitope of scavenger receptor A, and treatment of macrophages with either phospholipid results in a down-regulation of CR3 function and tumor necrosis factor alpha production by the phagocyte. We have also shown that the ability of macrophages to interact with mycobacteria is greatly affected by an as yet unidentified product from the interaction of chloroform and polypropylene tubes.